A solo art exhibition titled A Life Like That of A Dragonfly by Sanjib Datta is being held at the Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts and will continue until February 20. A diverse range of 44 contemporary works in acrylic, screen print and oil paints are presented for the art lovers who have a taste for fashionable art.
Sanjib explores themes of collective experience and displacement of the society. His signature works, that showcases dragonflies, dominates the exhibition. On a totally different note, his artworks with the elements of pop culture, explains the backdrop of an urban lifestyle.
The artist chose the title A Life Like That of A Dragonfly, inspired by his favourite poet Jibanananda Das’s poem Aat bochor Ager Ek Din (One day eight years ago). In his series Reformation of Dreams, a dragonfly has been consistent in his work. About the series, the artist said: “I have been painting this dragonfly series for five years. It is a metaphor in my paintings, where I relate a dragonfly’s face with that of a human being’s. Like a dragonfly, a human being also has a tiny life. Reformation of Dreams is about ups and downs of life. With my brush strokes, I reform the dream of a dragonfly by fixing their broken wings. On the other hand, I tried to explain that human beings have limitations of their sight, whereas a dragonfly has got multiple lenses, thus a broader perspective. ”
His pop art includes a backdrop of the city’s skyline. About his series S-he, the artist said: “I portray a tokai with the fragile wings of a dragonfly. By doing so, I raised the question of their deprivation in society. They are overshadowed by the high rise buildings, but they contribute to the society by cleaning the streets for the privileged lot. I have used bright colours to have a strong impact on the viewers.”
Being a nature lover, Sanjib is also interested in playing the sitar. He said: “Painting has a language, I make an effort to incorporate the tunes of the sitar in my paintings for the touch of harmony.”
Eminent educationist Professor Nazrul Islam and art critic and poet Rabuil Hossain was present at the inauguration ceremony on February 11.
